 Positively Green
By Frederic Holzberger
Upon hearing the word environment, most think of being green as recycling, reusing, reducing waste and saving energy. These are all important elements of sustaining the global environment and there are many ways people can improve their contributions to the earth, as well as community at-large. However, the concept of environment also needs to encompass your spa and focus on the social atmosphere within your business. By combining a harmonious team ethic with an Earth-friendly facility and philosophy, your spa will thrive.
Social atmosphere
A point of concern is how business owners treat their team members, and how the team members treat each other. Employees from younger generations have a different set of business and personal ethics and it is important to try to figure out how to challenge them, motivate them and keep them happy. One of the top reasons why people leave their jobs is because they do not like their co-workers or bosses. The key to retaining these valuable resources is finding common ground and harmony in an environment where multiple generations work together.
The spa industry’s future is dependent upon tracking and hiring its future leaders. You can create one of the most beautiful and most environmentally correct spas in the world, but that doesn’t mean success is inevitable. In order for your business to survive, you must have excellent standards in place. Your team needs to be on the same page and there has to be continuity of treatment for clients. A spa with a poisonous, toxic environment—one in which the staff members are miserable, speak badly about the owner or each other, wear inappropriate attire or arrive for the day unprepared, is one that is destined to fail.
The art of positive thinking
Attitude is everything. People have to be happy at work. Every morning before you leave your house, act as if you are getting on an elevator—do you want to go up or down? Choose to leave in a positive mood. Everybody has challenges to deal with, ranging from debt, child care and parent care to traffic. When you go to work, it is crucial to park those challenges at the door.
Create a document that outlines standards of conduct and excellence for all team members. Have everyone review it before they begin working for your spa. These can be separated into two categories: personal performance and professional performance. Some examples include:
I will treat everyone with respect and courtesy at all times.
I will not bring my personal problems to work.
I will address everyone in the most professional, nonthreatening and respectful manner possible.
I will turn off and store my cell phone or pager during working hours.
Other standards that are non-negotiable include arriving at work on-time with finished hair and makeup, adhering to the dress code, looking polished and professional, maintaining proper personal hygiene and having fresh breath. Although these seem rather obvious, it can be critical to have them on paper, and have everyone sign and keep a copy. If this method isn’t already in place in your spa, adapting it and putting it to use can help take you to the next level. These guidelines help develop and prepare your team to deliver memorable experiences.
Be a people person
The younger generation often uses mechanical devices to communicate, and perhaps its social skills have suffered as a result. Text messaging and e-mail have replaced verbal communication, and have allowed people to remove themselves from personal contact. The spa profession is built upon social skills, developing trust and constructing relationships, so this issue may need to be addressed.
All things being equal, people buy from people.Those who nurture the best and most appropriate personal relationships with their clients win.Try to remember the details your clients share with you about their lives and follow up.
By Frederic Holzberger
Press here to continue...
| 
